The National Parks and Wildlife Service is planning to construct a new walking track in the Sydney Harbour National Park linking Middle Head and Georges Head to the Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk.
The new walking track, with story-telling along the route and improvements to Chowder Bay Road, was identified in the Sydney Harbour National Park, Middle Head and Georges Head Master Plan. This Master Plan was developed with significant community consultation to guide NPWS in delivering effective integration of the Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk across the headlands.
The new track will allow visitors to have a seamless experience within the Sydney Harbour National Park and provides the missing link between Middle Head and Georges Head. The completed plans have been carefully designed to provide visitors with an amazing experience of our harbour coastline.
The military fortifications at Middle Head and Georges Head are State Heritage listed and contain the most diverse collection of fortifications and defence sites in Australia. Engineering assessments for all fort structures have been completed by our engineer. No major works are proposed, rather repair of existing fabric and improving the safety of the sites. These plans were assessed by heritage experts to ensure they are carried out appropriately.
Heritage interpretation is about communicating the stories associated with a place and detailed plans have been prepared with modest, new signage and installations proposed along the walking track and individual sites. We have also been consulting with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to ensure Aboriginal heritage is appropriately considered.
Under the NSW Heritage Act, NPWS is required to submit a Section 60 application before the works to occur. This has been submitted and the approval is expected in mid-2020. Once approvals have been received, we will be able to commence construction later in 2020.
